The work required in the epistle of James who says he has faith (belief) is the work that perseverance ends (Jas 1: 4), that is, it is to remain believing in the perfect law, the law of freedom (Jas 1:25) .

---

The epistle of James

 

Introduction

James the Just, possibly one of Jesus’ brothers (Mt 13:55; Mark 6: 3), is the author of this epistle.

Brother James was only converted after Christ’s resurrection (John 7: 3-5; Ac 1:14; 1 Cor 15: 7; Gal 1:19), becoming one of the leaders of the church in Jerusalem, and is appointed as one of the pillars of the church (Gal. 2: 9).

The epistle of James is dated around 45 AD. C., well before the first council in Jerusalem, that took place around 50 d. C., which makes the oldest New Testament epistle. According to the historian Flávio Josefo, Tiago was killed around the year 62 d. Ç.

The addressees of the epistle are scattered Jews converted to Christianity (Jas 1: 1), hence the austere tone and language peculiar to the Jews.

When he wrote this epistle, James sought to oppose the Jewish teaching of having faith in the one God, with the teaching of the gospel, which is to have faith in Jesus Christ, because it is useless to say that he believes in God, but that he does not obey the commandment of God. God, which is to believe in Christ. James’ approach reminds us of what Jesus taught: “DO NOT let your heart be troubled; you believe in God, you also believe in me” (John 14: 1), showing the relevance of the subject addressed in terms of the target audience: Jews converted to Christianity.

However, a misunderstanding about the epistle of James spread throughout Christendom, that he defended salvation by works, opposing the apostle to the Gentiles, who defended salvation by faith.

The misunderstanding of James’ approach made Martin Luther loathe this epistle, calling it “straw epistle”. He failed to see that James’ teaching is no different from that taught by the apostle Paul.

 

Summary of the Epistle of James

The epistle of James begins with an exhortation to perseverance in the faith, since in perseverance the work of faith is concluded (Jas 1: 3-4). Whoever endures trials without fading is blessed, since he will receive the crown of life from God, which will be given to those who obey (love) him (Jas 1:12).

James uses the term ‘faith’ in the sense of ‘believing’, ‘believing’, ‘trusting’, unlike the apostle Paul, who uses the term both in the sense of ‘believing’ and in the sense of ‘truth’, and this the latter meaning is much more used than that.

Then, James presents the essence of the gospel, which is the new birth through the word of truth (Jas 1:18). After asserting that it is necessary to receive the word of the gospel as an obedient servant, which is the power of God for salvation (James 2: 21), James exhorts his interlocutors to fulfill what is determined in the gospel, not forgetting the doctrine of Christ (James 2: 21).

James recalls that anyone who is attentive to the truth of the gospel and perseveres in it, not being a forgotten listener, is doing the work established by God: believing in Christ (James 2:25).

In view of the work required by God, James demonstrates that to be religious without restraining what comes from the heart, is to deceive oneself, and that individual’s religion proves to be in vain (James 2: 26-27).

Again, James calls his interlocutors brothers, and then he calls them not to show respect to people, since they professed believers in Christ (Jas 2: 1). If someone says that he is a believer in the Lord Jesus, he must proceed according to that belief: not respecting people because of origin, language, tribe, nation, etc. (Jas 2:12)

Tiago’s approach changes again through a serious one: – ‘My brothers’, to ask them if it is beneficial to say that they have faith, if they have no works. Is it possible for a belief without saving works?

The term work in context must be understood according to the view of man of antiquity, which is the result of obedience to a commandment. For men at the time, a master’s command and a servant’s obedience resulted in work.

The approach changes from people to salvation. First, whoever has faith in Christ cannot respect. Second: Whoever says he has faith that God is one, if he does not do the work required by God, he will not be saved.

The issue is not about someone who claims to have faith in Christ, but someone who claims to have faith is faith in one God. Whoever has faith in Christ will be saved, for this is the work required by God. You cannot save someone who claims to have faith in God, but who does not believe in Christ, since he is not the doer of the work.

The work required of those who say they have faith (belief) is the work that perseverance ends (Jas 1: 4), that is, it is to remain believing in the perfect law, the law of freedom (Jas 1:25).

As Christian converts among Jews knew that the work required by God is to believe in Christ, by arguing that it is not enough to say that he has faith, James was emphasizing that it is harmless to believe in God and not to believe in Christ.

The approach in chapter 3 changes again when it is said: my brothers (Jas 3: 1). The instruction is aimed at those who wanted to be masters, however, for this ministerial exercise it is essential to be ‘perfect’. To be ‘perfect’ in the context is not to stumble over the word of truth (Jas 3: 2), and thus will be able to lead the body (the students).

After examples of what the word is capable of promoting, again the approach is changed, to address the impossibility of proceeding with different messages from the same person, contrasting the knowledge of God versus the wisdom and human tradition (Jas 3:10 -12).

Finally, the instruction is that Christians converted from among Jews should not speak ill of one another (James 4:11), and, by figure (wealthy), make reference to the Jews who killed Christ.

The epistle is closed by addressing the initial theme: perseverance (Jas 5:11), encouraging believers to be patient in suffering.

 

The main misconceptions of interpretation

1. Understand that Tiago is concerned with issues such as social justice, income distribution, charitable actions, etc;
2. To consider the severe rebuke to the ‘rich’ who accumulate goods as a rebuke to those who held material wealth is to fail to observe that the term ‘rich’ is a figure that applies to Jews;
3. Understand that James’ letter is antagonistic to the teaching of the apostle Paul, who presents salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. In fact, James shows that believing in God is not what God requires for salvation, but rather, believing that Jesus is the Christ, the work of faith;
4. Understand that good deeds are required to authenticate those who have genuine faith. Whoever has faith in Christ according to the Scriptures, has genuine faith, for this is the work required by God;
5. Confuse good works with the fruit by which the tree is identified.

Mary, called Magdalene, is not Lazarus’ sister. The only information we have about Mary Magdalene is that she has freed from evil spirits and that she was present at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, accompanying her mother, Mary.

---

Did Mary pour perfume on Jesus’ feet?

 

Narrative of the evangelist João

The evangelist John narrates that Jesus, six days before the Passover feast, went to the city of Bethany, city of Lazarus, who was dead for four days and whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 12: 1).

A dinner was offered and, as usual, Martha served the table, at which were Jesus and Lazarus, among others (Luke 10:40; John 12: 2).

At a certain moment, during the supper, in the presence of the disciples, Mary took an arrátel [1] of pure nard ointment, of great value, and anointed Jesus’ feet. Then she started to dry Jesus’ feet with her hair, so that the house has perfumed with the smell of the ointment (John 12: 3).

This is the same Mary who stayed at Jesus’ feet, to listen to his teachings, while Martha took care of the household chores (John 11: 2; Luke 10:42).

 

Narratives of the evangelists Matthew and Mark

Evangelists Matthew and Mark narrate a similar event, which deals with a woman who spilled a perfume, an act similar to that performed by Mary, brother of Lazarus, however, this woman spilled the nard on Jesus’ head and did not use her hair to dry it.

Evangelist Mark situates the event in time as being two days before Easter, and both Matthew and Mark plot the place as the home of Simon the leper (Mark 14: 1-3; Mt 26: 6-7) .

Unlike John, the evangelists Matthew and Mark did not register the woman’s name, which shows that she was a stranger from the circle of the apostles, since everyone knew Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary.

Knowing the person’s identity or their relationship with another, which is well known, makes the narrators not forget to register the person’s name. The evangelist John does not mention the name of the Samaritan woman, because she belonged to a people that did not communicate with the Jews, she was a woman and a foreigner, therefore, the disciples had no proximity to her. What marked the woman was her origin, Samaria, and the disagreement between Samaritans and Jews, matters sufficiently important for the narrative (John 4: 7).

 

Narrative of the evangelist Lucas

Luke recounts another event, involving Jesus and a woman, when a Pharisee invited him to eat. When Jesus was seated at the table, a woman approached who, weeping, washed Jesus’ feet with tears and wiped her feet with her hair; and then she kissed and anointed Jesus’ feet with the ointment that was in the vessel (Luke 7: 37-38).

The Pharisee, seeing this scene, murmured, saying: “If he had been a prophet, he would have known who and which woman was the one who touched him, for she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39). The Pharisee knew the woman and labeled her as a sinner, but the evangelist Lucas did not know her and neither would her name be relevant, as she had no relationship with other New Testament characters.

 

Synoptic Gospels

What can being seen from reading the synoptic gospels is that, six days before the Passover feast, Mary, sister of Lazarus, in the city of Bethany, during a dinner, anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. Later, another woman, whose name is not revealed, in the house of Simon the leper, poured the same perfume on Jesus’ head, thus anointing her body (Mt 26: 7, 12; Mark 14: 3, 8 ).

In the narratives of the evangelists Matthew and Mark, Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of the leper Simon, when a woman poured an expensive perfume bottle on his head. The woman’s action provoked indignation in the disciples, who claimed that the perfume was very expensive and that it could be given to the poor. Jesus, in turn, rebuked the disciples, highlighting the law (Deut 15:11), and that that woman’s act was the harbinger of her death and grave, and that that event would be reported wherever the Gospel has announced (Mt 26: 10-13; Mark 14: 6-9).

John, in his Gospel, tells that the event happened in Bethany, six days before Easter, and that Lazarus was present. He points out that Mary takes the perfume and anoints Jesus ‘feet, wiping them with her hair, while Marta served the table, which suggests that dinner took place at Lazarus’ house.

Mary, called Magdalene, is not Lazarus’ sister. The only information we have about Mary Magdalene is that she has freed from evil spirits and that she was present at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, accompanying her mother, Mary.

“And some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons came out” (Luke 8: 2).

Mary Magdalene, too, was not the sinful woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears in the Pharisee’s house, as reported by evangelist Luke. There is no biblical basis for considering Mary Magdalene as a prostitute or sinner or, as Lazarus’ sister.

St. Gregory the Great, who lived for almost 1500 years, was the one who wrongly identified Mary Magdalene as the “sinner” of Luke 8, verse 2, and as the same Mary of Bethany, Lazarus’ sister.

 

The Marias

Evangelist John makes it clear that the woman who anointed Christ’s feet in Bethany during a dinner was Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John 11: 2). It is unlikely that the evangelist was mistaken about the identity of the person who anointed Christ’s feet and dried with his hair, as he knew both: Mary, sister of Lazarus and Mary Magdalene, so it follows that the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet is not Mary Magdalene.

Evangelist Lucas, after narrating the episode of the woman who, in a Pharisee’s house, washed Jesus’ feet with tears and wiped them with her hair, makes reference to Mary Magdalene as a follower of Jesus, with other women. Therefore, the evangelist Lucas knew Mary Magdalene, and there is no reason why he omitted her name, if the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with tears was really Mary Magdalene.

It is worth mentioning that the event narrated by the beloved doctor took place around Galilee and, at a different time of the Passover, specifically the Passover that preceded the death of Christ. The last Passover is only reporter in chapter 22, while the story of the woman who watered Jesus’ feet has reported in chapter 7 of the gospel of Luke.

Despite the similarities between the stories narrated by the evangelists, the narratives of Matthew and Mark refer to the same woman who, in turn, is not Mary, the sister of Lazarus, nor the sinner reported by Lucas.

The differences between the story narrated by Matthew and Mark, that narrated by Luke and John, suggest that the story written by Matthew and Mark deals with a woman unknown to the apostles. She poured the precious balm over Christ’s head, while the other two women, Mary, sister of Lazarus and the sinner, anointed Christ’s feet.

Mateus and Marcos do not refer to the person of Lazarus, despite their historical importance, nor do they refer to Maria, Lazaro’s sister, a woman well known to the disciples.

Although Jesus was in Bethany, populated by Mary and her sister Martha, Jesus was dining at Simon the leper’s house two days before Easter, and not six days, as the evangelist John tells us.

The woman who is part of Matthew and Mark’s narrative did not use her hair to dry Jesus ‘feet, she just poured out the perfume, which leads to the conclusion that it was not Mary, Lazarus’ sister, and not even Mary. Magdalene, who was well known to the disciples.

 

As members of society, Christian parents need to educate their children, and they must not leave such a charge to the church, or any other institution.

---

Parents, children and the church

Introduction

What can I do to keep my child in the church? This is a question asked by many Christian parents.

Those with small children want formulas to prevent their children from straying from the church, and those with large children, who have distanced themselves from the church, want God to perform a miracle.

What to do?

 

Son of a believer needs to be born again

First, every Christian must be aware that ‘the children of the flesh are not children of God’. Like? Is my child, born in an evangelical and / or Protestant birthplace, not a child of God?

Now, if ‘son of a believer were a son of God’, we would have to agree that all of Abraham’s descendants are also children of God, however, this is not what the Bible teaches.

The apostle Paul, writing to Christians in Rome, made it clear that being a descendant of the flesh of Abraham is not what grants divine filiation “Not that the word of God was lacking, because not all who are from Israel are Israelites; Not because they are descendants of Abraham, are they all children” (Rom. 9: 6 -7). “… it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants” (Rom. 9: 8). Now, if the children of Abraham are not children of God, it also follows that the son of a believer is not a child of God.

Therefore, anyone who wants to achieve divine sonship must have the same faith that the believer Abraham had, that is, for a Christian’s son to be a child of God, he must necessarily believe in the same way that the father believed the gospel message “Know, then, that those who are of faith are the children of Abraham” (Gal. 3: 7).

Only those who are generated through the incorruptible seed, which is the word of God, are children of God, that is, children of Christians are not necessarily children of God.

The Church is the body of Christ

Second, not all Christians must be aware that the body of Christ, which is also called a church, can be confused with human institutions, such as the family and the church. Being part of a human institution does not make man belong to the body of Christ that is, saved.

 

The responsibility to educate

As a member of society, Christian parents need to educate their children, and you should not leave such a charge to the church, or any other institution. Such task is solely and exclusively of the parents. If the parents are absent, this task should be transferred to another person who plays this role: grandparents, uncles, or, as a last resort, an institution established by society (orphanage).

Why can’t the mission of raising children be delegated? Because within normality, parents are the people who have the best and greatest trust in the first years of an individual’s life. Based on this relationship of trust, the family institution becomes a laboratory where all tests to produce a responsible citizen are carried out.

It is within the family that one learns what is authority and responsibility. Human relationships has learned and developed within the family, such as fraternity, friendship, trust, respect, affection, etc.

As parents have the best and most trusting relationship, they are also the best ones to present the gospel of Christ to children during the educational process. Therefore, it is salutary that parents do not present their children with a vindictive and spiteful God. Phrases like “- Don’t do this because daddy doesn’t like it! Or, – if you do this, God punishes! ”, Does not reflect the truth of the gospel and causes enormous damage to the child’s understanding.

The relationship that the gospel establishes between God and men is guide by trust and faithfulness. Is it possible to trust someone who is spiteful and vindictive? Not! Now, how is it possible for a young man to trust God, if what has been presented to him does not match the truth of the gospel?

Parents need to demonstrate to their children that some behaviors has not tolerated because the father and mother effectively disapprove. The father and mother effectively prohibit those such attitudes. That such behavior is harmful and the whole society disapproves.

Do not present your child with a resentful, nervous God who is ready to punish you for any misconduct. Such behavior on the part of parents clearly demonstrates that they are evading their responsibility as an educator.

Educating children by establishing a relationship of fear, having God, the church, the pastor, the priest, the devil, hell, the police, black-faced ox, etc., as executioners or punishment, ends up producing men who they do not respect institutions and despise those who exercise authority. This type of education establishes fear instead of respect, as the relationship of trust is not established. When the fear passes, there is no longer any reason to obey.

Parents who act in this way when educating their children do have their share of guilt in misleading their children. The church also has its share, because it failed to appoint parents as the only and legitimate responsible for the education of their children. The state is also guilty, as it assumes the role of educator, when in reality; it is only a vehicle for the transmission of knowledge.

If the foundations of education are not delineate within the family, and such concepts applied and experienced in family relationships, any other human institution, such as the church and the state, will be doomed to failure.

Many parents apply themselves to work, study and the church; however, they do not invest time in their children’s education. The education of children takes place full time and it is not healthy to neglect this time.

 

When to start educating?

Concern for children usually arises only when Christian parents feel that their children are distancing themselves from the church institution. Fearful appeals to imposition and coercion, forcing children to go to church. Such an attitude is even more mistaken than not having instructed the child at the right time.

These questions startle some Christian parents because they do not know what their role as a member of society is, and what their mission as an ambassador of the gospel. Christian parents cannot mix these two functions.

Christian parents have two very different missions:

a) to educate their children to be members of society, and;

b) announce the wonderful promises of the gospel to the children so that they never stray from the faith.

These missions must be carried out from an early age, taking care to deal simultaneously with the education and training of a citizen, without neglecting the teaching of the word of truth, emphasizing the love and faithfulness of God.

From a young age, the child must has be taught to respect the authorities, and it is through the parents that the child will has be exercised regarding submission to authority. Through siblings, grandparents and uncles the child will learn respect and conviviality. Like friends, teachers, neighbors and strangers, the child will learn relationships with the world.

What about the gospel? What does the Bible recommend? In Deuteronomy, we read the following: “And you will teach them to your children and speak of them while seated in your house, and walking along the path, and lying down and getting up” (Deut 6: 7). About the way of life the child must be instructed at all times, that is, at home, on the way, at bedtime and when getting up.

The instruction of the sacred ‘letters’ is the responsibility of the parents! The scriptures do not recommend delegating such a function to the Sunday school teacher; moreover, it restricts teaching time about Christ to once a week, for a period of just one hour. Very different from what the scripture recommends daily teaching.

 

Children and society

Parents need to help children understand that everyone owes obedience to parents and society. Submission to parents today is an essay and an apprenticeship to submission that will be require by society, both at school and at work.

After has being instruct even if the young person did not want to follow the gospel of Christ, we will have a citizen committed to certain social values?

One of the pertinent problems in the education of children of Christians today is in mixing family education with church. Delegating to the church the responsibility of transmitting sociocultural values ​​is a big mistake. When the young person grows up and is disappointed with certain people within the institution, he ends up moving away from the membership of the community he attended, and at the same time, he rebels against all types of social values.

When parents are aware that they do not generate children for God, they apply more to the education and evangelization of children. Nor do they despair when they see that their shoots are not in the mood to go to church. They will not feel guilty or responsible for their children when they do not address some institutional issues.

It is necessary to educate children through teaching the word of God, however, without forgetting to transmit and inculcate social values. Education includes conversation, play, scolding, warning, etc. Allow children to experience all stages of life, from childhood, adolescence and youth.

However, what to do when children stray from the church? First, it is necessary to distinguish whether children have strayed from the gospel or have distanced themselves from a particular institution.

Ignoring elementary gospel principles leads parents to confuse what it means to be a child of God with belonging to a particular church. If a child is no longer a regular at church, he should not be label a stray, or that he is striding to hell, etc.

If a person professes the truth of the gospel as the scriptures say, it means that he is not a stray, but should be alert only to the need to congregate. It may be necessary for parents to investigate why their children are leaving the habit of meeting with other Christians.

Now, if the son does not profess the truth of the gospel and continues to congregate out of habit, his condition before God is troubling. What does he know about the gospel? Does he profess the faith of the gospel? If the answer is negative, it is necessary to announce the truth of the gospel, so that he can believe and be saveding, and not just a churchgoer.

The damage described by the action of locusts, refers to the great evils resulting from the war with foreign nations and not to legions of demons. It is an unprecedented lie to say that each type of grasshopper represents legions of demons, who act on the lives of men.

---

The parable of the locust of the prophet Joel

Introduction

It is absurd the number of sermons, articles, books and exhibitions that describe the vision of the locusts, announced by the prophet Joel, as legions of demons that attack against the patrimony of non-tithe believers.

A simple search on the Internet returns countless articles and books [1] stating categorically that locusts are legions of demons that act directly on people’s assets, destroying houses, cars, clothes, groceries, salaries, etc. That these demons cause disasters in cars, airplanes, sink ships, tear down buildings, kill people, destroy nations, families, churches, weddings and homes.

That is right, what does the parable of the locusts announced by Joel, represent? Are locusts’ demons?

 

The parable

“What remained of the caterpillar, the locust ate it, what remained of the locust, the locust ate it and what remained of the locust, the aphid ate it.” (Joel 1: 4)

Before analyzing the text, I want to reassure the reader that the figures of the caterpillar, the grasshopper, the locust and the aphid, which make up the parable of the prophet Joel, are not demons. Any approach, in this sense, aims to deceive the unwary by making the layman and neophyte an easy prey for unscrupulous men or, at the very least, ignorant of biblical truth.

The parable that the prophet Joel announced had a specific audience: the Jews, before the dispersion. When Joel announces the message of God to the elders and inhabitants of the land, he did not aim at humanity, as if he were talking about the planet earth, before, the message was aimed at the Jewish leaders and the inhabitants of the land of Canaan, that is, the Jews. (Joel 1: 2)

To broaden the scope of prophecy, to speak to the Gentiles or even to speak to the members of the Church of Christ, is to twist the message of the prophet Joel, because the target audience of the message are the Israelites, as can be seen from the last sentence from the verse: ‘… or, in your fathers‘ days’, a way of referring to the previous generations of the children of Israel.

“Hear this, you elders and listen, all the inhabitants of the earth: Did this happen in your days or, in your parents’ days?” (Joel 1: 2)

The Israelites should relay the message of the prophet Joel, about the locusts, to their children and the children to their children, so that the message would reach future generations. (Joel 1: 3)

Moreover, what are the locusts in the parable? The answer is found in verse 6: a powerful and numerous foreign nation!

“For a powerful nation without number has risen against my land; their teeth are dandelions and they have the jaws of an old lion.” (Joel 1: 6)

The prophet Jeremiah, too, alluded to the foreign invasion, using other figures:

“Because I will visit you with four kinds of evils, says the Lord: with a sword to kill and with dogs, to drag them, with birds of the sky and with animals of the earth, to devour and destroy them.” (Jer 15: 3)

The prophet Moses already predicted the invasion of foreign nations:

“The LORD will raise up against you a nation from afar, from the end of the earth, which flies like an eagle, a nation whose language you will not understand; Fierce-faced nation, which will not respect the old man’s face, nor pity the young man; And he will eat the fruit of your animals and the fruit of your land, until you are destroyed; and he will not leave you grain, must, nor oil, nor the calves of your cows, nor of your sheep, until he has consumed you. ” (Deut 28: 49-51)

The prophet Joel makes the same prediction, however, composes a parable to facilitate the announcement of future events, from parents to children. How could anyone forget a parable that features locusts, which devour everything in front of him or her?

The Chaldean invasion is compared to the destruction caused by locusts, as they would invade the cities of Israel, which resembled Eden, of which, after the Babylonian invasion, only desolation would remain.

“Day of darkness and darkness; day of clouds and dense darkness, like the morning spread over the mountains; great and powerful people, which there never was, since ancient times, nor after them for years to come, from generation to generation. Before him, a fire consumes and behind him a blazing flame; the land before him is like the Garden of Eden, but behind him a desolate desert; yes, nothing will escape you. ” (Joel 2: 2-3)

The parable of the locusts served the purpose of illustrating the predicted by Moses, because the nation that would invade Israel would devour everything that the animals and the field produced. There would be no grain, must, oil or animal offspring, due to foreign invasion.

The vine and the fig tree are figures that refer to the two houses of the sons of Jacob: Judah and Israel, so that the prophecy and parable represent, only and exclusively, the children of Israel. To put men, or Gentiles, or the church, as objects of the locusts’ action, is a fantasy of the head of an ill-informed person.

The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah compared the stranger nations to wild beasts of the field, instead of using the figure of the locusts:

“You, all the animals of the field, all the animals of the woods, come and eat” (Is 56: 9);

“Therefore, a lion from the forest struck them, a wolf from the deserts will plague them; a leopard watches over its cities; whoever comes out of them will be shattered; because their transgressions increase, their apostasies multiplied.” (Jer 5: 6)

The damage described by the action of locusts, refers to the great evils resulting from the war with foreign nations and not to legions of demons. It is an unprecedented lie to say that each type of grasshopper represents legions of demons, who act on the lives of men.

Anyone who says that the grasshopper is a kind of legion of demons, who acts in the life of those who do not obey God, is a liar.

God cursed the earth because of Adam’s disobedience and, finally, determined that man would eat the sweat on his face (Gen. 3: 17-19). That divine determination falls on the just and the unjust! Another curse that fell on humanity, Jews and Gentiles, was death, by which all men are alienated from the glory of God.

Nevertheless, despite the curse resulting from Adam’s offense, luck is cast on the lap of all his descendants, without distinction of righteous and unjust “because time and chance affect everyone, indistinctly” (Prov 9:11). Everyone who works in this life has the right to eat, because the law of sowing is the same for everyone: just and unjust.

To say that the cutter locust acts on the life of infidels is a fallacy. To say that part of what an infidel gains from his work, belongs to demons is scabrous, because the land and its fullness belong to the Lord.

Using Isaiah 55, verse 2, to talk about finances, testifies against the truth of Scripture. When Isaiah asks the people, about spending what they earned with work on what is not bread, he was not talking about cigarettes, drinks, entertainment, medicine, etc. God was rebuking the people for spending what he acquired on sacrifices, offerings that did not please God (Isa 1: 11-12; Isa 66: 3).

What God is pleased with, and which truly satisfies man, is that he will listen to the word of God, because, ‘to answer is better than to sacrifice’. (1 Sam 15:22) However, the children of Israel were given to sacrifices, that is, they spent the fruit of labor on what they could not satisfy!

“But Samuel said, ‘Does the LORD have so much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the word of the LORD? Behold, obeying is better than sacrificing, and serving it better than sheep fat. ” (1 Sam 15:22)

It is absurd to say that the destructive locust refers to natural calamities, disasters, bad weather, etc., but to apply John 10, verse 10, in which the thief came, if not to kill, steal and destroy, as being the action of the devil , it is bad reading with ulterior motives. To say that the legion of demons, which the destructive locust represents, are murderers who do what John 10 says, verse 10; it’s nefarious.

The thief Jesus said came to kill, steal and destroy does not refer to the devil, but to the leaders of Israel, who came before Him. Israel’s leaders were thieves and robbers, for they acted before Jesus came, because of what the prophets foretold:

“Is this house, which is called by my name, a cave of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I, myself, have seen this, saith the LORD. ” (Jer 7:11);

“All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them.” (John 10: 8);

“The thief comes only to steal, to kill and to destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10);

“And he said to them, it is written, my house will be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves”. (Mt 21:13)

The conclusion of the speakers who use the parable of the locusts is even stranger when it proposes a way to overcome the locusts: to be a tither!

Whereas the locusts represented the Chaldean nation, which invaded Jerusalem in 586 BC, when Nebuchadnezzar II – Babylonian emperor – invaded the Kingdom of Judah, destroying both the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, and deporting Jews to Mesopotamia , how to overcome these ‘locusts’, if the Chaldeans are extinct?

In addition to saying that the locusts in Joel’s parable are various kinds of demons, many speakers say that the only way to beat them is through faithfulness in tithes and offerings! Untruth!

The children of Israel suffered the invasion of foreign nations, because they did not rest the land, according to the word of the Lord, and not because they were not tithers, as we read:

“And I will scatter you among the nations, and draw the sword behind you; your land will be desolate and your cities will be deserted. Then the land will enjoy its Sabbaths, all the days of its desolation and you will be in the land of your enemies; then the land will rest and play on its Saturdays. He will rest every day of desolation, because he did not rest on your Sabbaths, when habitable in it” (Lev 26:33 -35).

It is because of not having rested the earth that God established Daniel’s 70 weeks, as recorded in the Book of Chronicles:

“That the word of the LORD might be fulfilled by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land is pleased with its Sabbaths; all the days of desolation rested, until the seventy years were fulfilled.” (2 Chr 36:21).

Malachi’s complaint about bringing all tithes to the treasury is long after the Babylonian deportation (Mal 3:10). The prophet Malachi was a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah, in the period after exile, when the walls of Jerusalem were already rebuilt, around 445 BC.

The Bible is clear:

“As a bird wanders, as a swallow does flying, so the curse without a cause will not come”. (Pr 26: 2)

Was the curse befallen the children of Israel by the action of demons? Not! Demons are cursed by nature, but they are not the cause of curses on humanity. The cause of the curse that befell the children of Israel was disobedience to the precepts of God, delivered by Moses. The Babylonian invasion only occurred because of Israel’s disobedience and not by the action of demons!

To the children of Israel, God proposed blessings and curses and the motto for receiving them was, respectively, obedience and disobedience. The cause of the curse was disobedience, because without a curse there will be no curse.

In addition, who instituted the curse? God Himself!

“It will be, however, that if you do not listen to the voice of the Lord your God. so as not to be careful to keep all his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today, then all these curses will come upon you and will overtake you: Damn you in the city and damn you in the country. Damn your basket and your kneader. Cursed is the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land and the offspring of your cows and your sheep. Cursed you will be when you enter and cursed you will be when you leave. The LORD will send a curse on you; confusion and defeat in everything you put your hand to do; until you are destroyed and until you suddenly perish, because of the wickedness of your works, for which you left me. ” (Deut 28: 15-20)

It is certain that, without cause, there is no curse!

Financial contribution to a given institution does not free anyone from demons, curses, evil eye, etc. Such messages are deceitful to link the simple ones. It is not because you do not have knowledge that you has not be penalized:

“The warned see evil and hide; but the simple ones pass and suffer the penalty.” (Pr 27:12)

Claiming ignorance before God does not free anyone from the consequences. Hence the need for man to be attentive to the voice of God.

However, there are those who hear the word of God, however, decide to walk according to what their deceitful heart proposes, thinking that they will have peace. Great mistake, because the Lord’s blessing is for those who listen to his word.

“And it may happen that, when someone hears the words of this curse, he will bless himself in his heart, saying: I will have peace, even if I walk according to the opinion of my heart; to add to the thirst, the drinking.” (Deut 29:19)

The apostle Paul to the Corinthians expresses the lesson that the believer in Christ Jesus draws from what was saying the parable of the locusts:

“And these things were done to us in figure, lest we covet bad things, as they did.” (1 Cor 10: 6).

For those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, there is no longer condemnation, and what we read from the children of Israel is so that we do not make the same mistakes. If there is no condemnation for someone who is a new creature, it is certain that he is hiding with Christ in God; therefore, he does not have to be afraid of demons, curses, etc.

Whoever is in Christ the evil one does not touch, for he is hiding with Christ, in God?

“We know that everyone who is born of God does not sin; but what is generated of God keeps itself, and the evil one does not touch it. ” (1 John 5:18);

“Because you are already dead and your life is hidden with Christ, in God.” (Col 3: 3)

All believers in Christ has been blesseding with all the spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1: 3), so there is no need to fear the action of demons.

The only curse that can reach a believer is to let himself be deceived by men who, with cunning, deceitfully deceive themselves, moving away from the truth of the gospel (Eph 4:14; 2 Pet 2: 20-21),

Therefore, in relation to all things, he is more than a winner, and no creature can separate him from the love of God, who is in Christ.

“But in all these things, we are more than winners, by the one who loved us. Because I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor the present, nor the future, nor the height, nor the depth, nor any other creature, can separate us of the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8: 37-39)

Good cheer is an order of Christ, and this must be one of the characteristics of Christians in this world. Those who believe in Christ should not be troubled (John 14: 1). The afflictions of this present world are certain, however, they are not to compare with the glory of the world to come, in which you are a participant.

---

Victory over the world

To recap: You raised again, and now you are part of God’s family.  A son, however, it is His will that you are not take out of the world “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that they deliver you from evil” (John 17:15). Before this world, the order of Christ is clear: be of good cheer, I have overcome the world! (John 16:36).

We know that “God so loved the world that he sent his only-begotten Son…” (John 3:16), so that everyone who believed in Christ would not perish and obtain eternal life. What world did God love? God loved humankind, that is, God loved all men born of Adam without distinction (humanity = world).

You were one of the people that God loved so much, and Christ was delivered so that you would not perish, as this would be the end of humanity, because of Adam’s corruptible seed.

Now, because you are in Christ, you are no longer part of the humanity that is lost “They are not of the world, as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). God loved all men, those who believed were created again as spiritual men, and they ceased to belong to the world of Adam.

You believed, you were born again and you became a participant in the nature and} family of God.} You stopped being the son of Adam and became the son of God in Christ (the last Adam), a spiritual man.

Christ, before being crucified, prayed to the Father saying: “I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but to keep them from evil” (John 17:15). That is, Jesus was about to be taken out of this world, but those who believed in him would not be taken out of this world. This shows that, although you have not yet been taken out of this world, you no longer belong to it (the world).

You are God’s exclusive property, sealed with the promised Holy Spirit: “… Which is the guarantee of our inheritance, for redemption of God’s property, in praise of his glory” (Eph 1:14).

Although you have not yet been taken out of the world, you have already escaped the corruption in it.

“For which he has given us great and precious promises, so that by them you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption, which through lust is in the world” (2Pe 1: 4).

Always remembering “… that we are of God, and that the world lies in the evil one” (1 John 5:19).

Jesus asked the Father not to be taken out of the world and to be kept free from evil. In this way, trust also that it is Jesus who keeps you untouched from the evil one (1 John 5:18).

Jesus overcame the world and you are a participant in this victory. However, this does not mean that while you are in this world you are immune to afflictions “I have told you this, that you may have peace in me; in the world you will have afflictions, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Good cheer is an order of Christ and this must be one of the characteristics of those who believe in Him. Those who believe in Christ should not be disturbed when they encounter problems in this life (John 14: 1). The afflictions of this world are certain, however, they are nowhere near comparable to the glory of the world to come, in which you are a participant.

You overcame the world when you belonged to God’s family “Little children, you are of God, and you have already overcome them; for greater is what is in you than what is in the world” (1 John 4: 4).

You are more than a winner for the one who loved you (Rom. 8:37)!

However, there is an alert message: “Do not love the world or the world…” (1 John 2:15). We know that Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world; whoever accepts Him is because He loves Him and loves the one who generated Him.

Whoever believes in Christ does the will of God, is the same as loving God. Whoever loves God does not love the world and does not belong to the world, that is, because he has done the will of God, which is to believe in the one He sent, you do not love the world. However, for those who do not love the world (those who believe in Christ), it remains to not love what is in the world.

In order not to love what is in the world you must follow the Apostle Paul’s recommendation: “And those who use this world, as if they did not abuse it, because the appearance of this world passes away” (1Co 7:31). “Now the world is passing by, and its lust…” (1 John 2:17), but you will remain forever with Christ.

When you were born of God, you conquered the world and began to live in the spirit. Therefore, he who lives in the spirit (gospel), must also walk in the spirit “For everyone who is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith” (1 John 5: 4).

You have faith (rest) in God, and because of this, you have already overcome the world. Such a victory was granted through the gospel of Christ, the faith that overcomes the world. Now, it remains for you to walk among men in a way worthy of the vocation you have been called. That is, do not walk (behave) any more as other Gentiles do, committing all sorts of dissolution and shamelessness (Eph 4: 1, 17).

The doctrine of Jesus only made evident what was recording in the prophets: to be born of water and the Spirit is the same as God sprinkling pure water on man. Only God can grant a new heart and a new spirit, that is, a new life to man!

---

Being born of water and the Spirit

 

 “Jesus replied, truly, truly, I say to you, he who is not born of water and the Spirit cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3: 5)

Water and Spirit

Jesus’ answer satisfies the following question: “How can a man be born, being old?” The answer is precise: the new birth is through water and the Spirit!

To understand Jesus’ response, it is necessary to know that the doctrine preached by Him in no way differs from the message preached in the law and by the prophets.

We know that the law can never perfect anyone because it contains only the shadow of future goods (Heb 10: 1). However, she always pointed out the need for circumcision of the heart.

What the law proposed was impossible for man to achieve through it, since the law itself was sick with the flesh (Romans 8: 3). The law only served as a ‘tutor’ to lead man to Christ (Gal 3:24), that is, in pointing out the need for circumcision of the heart, the law leads man to Christ, because only in him is it possible to achieve circumcision through strip the body of the flesh: the circumcision of Christ (Col 2:11).

We can extract a great lesson from the law: it was writing on stone tablets and given to the people, but it cannot perfect anyone, since, even after the delivery of the law, Moses continued to preach the need for circumcision of the heart (Deut 10: 16; Deut 30: 6; 2Co 3: 3 and 7).

If the law were essential to man’s salvation, there would be no need for Moses to preach the circumcision of the heart. It follows that the law delivered on tablets of stone did not bring about the necessary transformation in the hearts of the people, since they still needed the circumcision of the heart.

Divine action was never through the law, since the message of God was always: “Hear, O Israel…”, because faith is the only way to draw close to God (Rom 10:17). If they heard the voice of God, there would be a radical change in them: they would no longer have a heart of stone and would have a heart of flesh (Deut 11:18; Jer 4: 4).

Divine intervention in the life of the people would only occur when they heard and recorded the law in their hearts. Circumcision is a divine action through his word (Deut 30: 6-8).

 

Promise of purification

The prophet Ezekiel on this subject said the following: “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will purify you from all your filth and all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and will cause you to walk in my statutes, and to keep my judgments, and to observe them” (Eze 36:25 -27).

Master Nicodemus already knew this biblical passage.

He had long read about the promise of a new life (a new heart and a new spirit), but he was unable to abstract the essence of what God proposed.

To reach the new life it is necessary that God Himself sprinkles pure water on man (“I” will sprinkle pure water on you).

The doctrine of Jesus only made evident what was recording in the prophets: to be born of water and the Spirit is the same as God sprinkling pure water on man.

Only God can grant a new heart and a new spirit, that is, a new life to man!

Being born of water is the same as being born of the word: Jesus is the Word of God, that is, the Word incarnate (John 1:14).

On this point, Paul wrote “To sanctify her, purifying her by washing the water, by the word …” (Eph 5:26), “If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink” (John 7:37).

Jesus is the water that produces life in those who are purifying by Him, that is, in those who believe.

Being born of the Spirit is the same as being born of God, since, God is Spirit and those who are born of Him receive a new spirit and a new heart.

Therefore, “… that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3: 6), and those who believe are empowered to become children of God! Now, if a man believes, he has already received the fullness of God (John 1:16; Col. 2: 7-8).

It becomes a participant in the divine nature (2Pe 1: 4).

Whoever believes in the incarnate Word as the Scriptures say, from within it will have rivers of living water flowing, that is, this was saying: “… from the Spirit who should receive those who believe in him” (John 7:37 -39) born of the Spirit.

Is there a specific order to be born again? Yes! First man is born from water, then from Spirit! Like?

First, man needs the Word of God so that he can believe, that is, to believe, first we must hear (to be sprinkled by God with clean water), about the faith (gospel) that is the power of God that makes men who rest in the proposed hope children of God “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the Power of God for the Salvation of everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16).

Man only has access to the power of God after he hears the word of truth, as Paul wrote to Titus: “… He saved us by washing away regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3: 5).

When writing to Titus, Paul demonstrates that God washes and renews man through the word and his Spirit, that is, he reaffirms what Ezekiel said: (“I” “will sprinkle pure water on you …”).

Through the Word of God, which is pure water sprinkled on the sinner, the washing of regeneration occurs.

Those who are born of God are renewing by the Eternal Spirit, receiving a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone and a new spirit (Ps 51:10

I pray to God that you can believe in this truth, because this God made man, was tried in everything, but he was also approved, because he obeyed God in everything, until death, for which he received life back: he rose from the dead and it became the salvation of everyone who believes.

---

You are eternal

Where will you go to eternity?

This is a question that few know how to answer, but the Bible shows where men will go when they enter eternity. If man recognizes Jesus as his only and sovereign Lord and savior, rather, if he believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God, for in eternity He was God, however, he stripped himself of his glory and became flesh (man ), was subject to the same passions as men, yet did not sin; who died because of the barrier of separation that existed between God and men (sin) and rose on the third day, it is certain that such a man in eternity will exist eternally in full communion with God.

However, if you do not believe in the truth exposed above, there will be eternally alienated from God.

God created man to be part of a project that he established in himself, and as God is Eternal, man cannot be transitory, that is, be extinguished someday, therefore, God granted him something of himself (the breath) of life) “And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man was made a living soul” (Gen. 2: 7).

The breath of life that man possesses came directly from God, The Eternal, soon will not being extinguished, remaining for eternity.

Before creating man, God created the earth and, after creating it, delegated his dominion over it:

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the cattle, and over all the land, and over every reptile that moves on the earth ”(Gen. 1:26).

Then he prepared a pleasant place for the man to stay:

 “And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, on the east side; and he put there the man he had formed. And the Lord God made every tree to grow out of the earth, which was pleasing to the eye and good for food; and the tree of life in the middle of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil ”(Gen. 2: 9).

Man enjoyed care and fellowship with God:

“And the Lord God said it is not good for a man to be alone; I will make him a suitable helper for him. So when the Lord God formed from the earth every beast in the field and every bird in the sky, he brought them to Adam, to see him as he would call them; and whatever Adam called the whole living soul, that was his name ”(Gen. 2:18 -19).

 “… Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2Co 3:17), and as expected, God gave man freedom: “And the Lord God commanded man, saying, you shall eat freely from the whole tree of the garden…” (Gen. 2:16).

Moreover, he showed him life and death: life was to obey him, that is, man would remain united to God, because God is life, and death was to disobey him, because disobedience would lead to separation from God, that is, death.

“But you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for the day you eat of it, you will surely die ”(Gen. 2:17).

To paraphrase: As long as Adam did not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he would be united to God (alive), if he ate, he would be separated from God (dead). The determination was clear: do not eat so you can live!

Can you see God’s love and care for man in these biblical passages?

However, Adam did not notice, because when the serpent said: ‘Certainly you will not die’ (Gen. 3: 4), he believed in the serpent and ate the fruit.

And who was the snake? He was a presumptuous angel who lost his principality precisely because he aspired for what God had proposed in himself and man would be part of it. See what this angel designed:

“I will go up on the heights of the clouds, and I will be like the Most High” (Is 14:14).

However, see what God proposed to man:

 “And God said; Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Gen. 1:26).

Satan did not want to be a man, but wanted the likeness of God, because the likeness would make him bigger than the angels “And you said in your heart, I will go up to heaven, above the stars of God I will exalt my throne, and on the mount of the congregation I will sit on the sides of the north” (Is 14:13).

The stars of God here refer to angels.

When man believed what Satan said and disregarded the Word of God: “you will surely die”,

He committed “injustice”. With this act, Adam sold himself as a slave to sin and all those who were to be born was also sold, that is, all men because of Adam’s offense sinned:

 “Because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), all are separated from God.

Moreover, from that moment on, man became reprehensible, reproved, that is, condemned, dead, alienated from life forever, because he has a soul that will exist forever, even after returning to the dust.

But the purpose of God cannot be stopped, and God, in his very love with which he loved men, provided powerful salvation: his own Son who, stripped of his glory

“But he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, becoming like men” (Phil 2: 7), and he became like men so that man would again have the opportunity to become like God.

It was necessary that justice, will be stabling in the beginning, a man created without sin did not believe the word of God, but in due time, another man without sin was obedient to the word of God.

“For as if by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one many will be made righteous” (Rom. 5:19); “For just as death came by a man, so the resurrection of the dead came by a man” (1Co 15:21).

However, how would this happen, if everyone sinned?

God had to become a man and that is why Jesus was born of a virgin, by the power of God.

I pray to God that you can believe in this truth, because this God made man was trying in everything, but he was also approve, because he obeyed God in everything, until death, for which he received life back: he rose from the dead.  Became the salvation of everyone who believes.

Moreover, all who believe in Christ are justified, because they die with Christ “For he who is dead is justified from sin” (Rom. 6: 7), and resurrects with Him. Sinful nature is extinguish and man becomes dead to sin, but alive to God.

 “So you also consider yourselves to be dead to sin, yet alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:11),

 For he rose with his Son Jesus Christ “THEREFORE, if you have already risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3: 1).

If you believe the word you will be save from eternal condemnation, that is, you will enter eternity in communion with God. Eternal life!

Are you able to believe in Jesus Christ? “To know: If you confess with your mouth to the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10: 9).

 

The “gospel” is contrary to the “law,” just as, respectively, “newness of mind” disputes the “old age of the letter,” or “preaching of faith” opposes the “works of the law,” or “spirit.” contrary to the ‘flesh’.

---

There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ

“Therefore now there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 1).

 

Introduction

Before continuing the analysis of chapter 8, from the Epistle to the Romans, compare these two verses:

“But now we are free from the law, for we die to what we were held in, to serve in newness of mind, not in old age of the letter” (Romans 7: 6);

“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore I myself, by understanding, serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin ” (Romans 7:25).

What is the reason for the apostle Paul to give thanks to God through Christ Jesus? He was free from the law (now we are free from the law) since he had died for what was withheld: the law.

What is the purpose of the apostle Paul to have died for that which was withheld? The answer is clear: in order to serve God in newness of spirit (gospel), which was impossible through the old age of the letter (law).

The apostle Paul stated categorically that Christians were now free from the law, since they had died for it, and concludes that the freedom attained as a result of death to law has only one purpose: to serve God in new spirit, since that through the law of Moses it was impossible to serve God (Romans 8.7).

The two verses present counterpoints: ‘novelty of spirit’ opposes ‘old age of the letter’, just as ‘understanding’ opposes ‘flesh’. The opposition ‘gospel’ versus ‘law’ is clear, but the opposition ‘understanding’ versus ‘flesh’ is very subtle, leading to a misreading of the Pauline proposal.

The Greek term translated ‘understanding’ is νους [1] (nous), probably derived from the root of the verb γινωσκω (ginosko). In establishing the counterpoint ‘understanding’ versus ‘flesh’, we are compelled to consider what was said by the apostle Paul later that

The Jews served God without understanding (Romans 10: 2), because the Law, the Psalms, and the prophets were emphatic:

“For they are a lack of counsel, and there is no understanding in them.” (Deuteronomy 32:28);

“Therefore shall my people be taken captive for lack of understanding; and their nobles shall hunger, and their multitude shall be thirsty” (Isaiah 5:13);

“God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that had understanding and sought after God. They have all turned aside, and are together becoming filthy. No one does good, no, not even one. Do not those who work iniquity know who eat my people as if they eat bread? They did not call upon God. ” (Psalm 53: 2-4);

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; good understanding have all they that do his commandments; his praise endures forever” (Psalm 111: 10).

The apostle Paul gives thanks to God in verse 25 because he died for the law and was now free. What does it mean to serve in ‘novelty of mind ‘Freedom to serve the will (law [2]) of God with understanding, since with the flesh only the law of sin can be served.

“For this is the covenant which I will make after those days with the house of Israel, saith the Lord; I will put my laws in his understanding, and I will write them in his heart; And I will be their God, and they will be my people ” (Hebrews 8:10).

In both verses, the apostle Paul uses the verb “to serve” and suppresses the same verb in the final part of the verse:

“… that we may serve in newness of mind, and not (serve) in old age of the letter” (Romans 7: 6);

“… with understanding I serve the law of God, but with the flesh (I serve) the law of sin” (Romans 7:25).

Through this analysis it is easy to diagnose that, because of misreading, that is, without considering possible use of certain literary resources, such as style figures, numerous misunderstandings arise.

A clear example of writing-relevant resources is found in the verses we just compared, where we have one of the language figures (Brazil), or style figures / Rhetoric figures (Portugal).

“Figure of Language are literary strategies that the writer can apply in the text to achieve a determined effect on interpretation. They are more localized forms of expression compared to language functions, which are global characteristics of the text. They may relate to semantic, phonological or syntactic aspects of the affected words. “ Wikipedia.

What resource did the apostle Paul use in the above verses? It uses a style figure called an ellipse, which is:

“Ellipse is a suppression of an easily understood word. It is the intentional omission of a term easily identifiable by the context or grammatical elements present in the sentence. This omission makes the text concise and elegant. ” Wikipedia.

Not considering elementary principles of text interpretation distorts the idea that the writer seeks to convey, causing doctrinal errors.

If one fails to consider elements pertinent to semantics, it is pernicious, that one would say that one neglects elements pertinent to rhetoric (the art of good speech), since the apostle Paul was a man of the culture of the time.

Analyzing the Apostle Paul’s exposition, it is clear that he seeks to make his interlocutor, through his own reasoning, convince himself that the sender is correct.

Rhetoric as a technique of exposition is not intended to distinguish what is true or right, but rather to make the recipient of the message come to the conclusion that the idea implicit in discourse represents what is true or right.

Added to this are various problems pertinent to translators’ understanding when shedding the sacred texts, since the transcribed biblical texts of the original had no punctuation marks, rules that was introduced late.

Although we analyze the biblical texts using the chapters and verses references, we must not forget that the writers of the Bible did not make those divisions.

These divisions was introduced thousands of years after the writing of the original books to facilitate the location of passages and specify, therefore, they should not be considered when reading and interpreting the text.

Parisian university professor Stephen Langton introduced The division of the Bible into chapters in 1227. The Parisian printer Robert Stephanus introduced the division of the Bible into verses in 1551. (Divisions were intending to facilitate consultation and biblical quotations.)

 

No conviction

“Therefore, now there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 1).

This verse supports the arguments that the apostle Paul presented in the previous chapters. We can understand the structure of the letter addressed to Christians in Rome.

This verse introduces a conclusion, through the concluding conjunction, ‘therefore’, based on what the apostle Paul expressed earlier.

“therefore – conclusive conjunction equivalent to therefore, therefore, consequently, consequently”.

“The use of the conjunction ‘therefore’ must introduce a conclusion based on what has been said before – prayer or preceding text – so it is a mistake to initiate a period, intervention or response with this conjunction.”

To understand the structure of the letter, it is necessary to draw on the adverb of time (now) that the apostle of the Gentiles introduces shortly after the concluding conjunction, ‘therefore’: ‘Therefore, now …’ (Romans 8: 1).

The apostle Paul demonstrated that all men were under sin. (Romans 3: 1-20) and described the righteousness of God given by the gospel (faith) to all who believe (without distinction), and used the adverb of time ‘now’ “But now the righteousness of God has manifested without the law… ” (Romans 3:21).

The apostle of the Gentiles demonstrates to his readers that the grace of God is manifest to all who believe without any distinction, and points out through the adverb of time “now” that God’s righteousness is effective in the present tense.

The believer is just now, in the present tense.

It is a condition proper to those who have believed in Christ, not a gift to be given only in the future (Romans 3:26).

Why is the righteousness of God in the now, and given to all without distinction?

First, because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God  (Romans 3:23).

Notice that Paul first presents the grace of God (Romans 3:21), and then refers to the condition of humanity without Christ (Romans 3:23).

On the basis of the information given in verses 21-27 of chapter 3 of the letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul concludes that all men are justified through the gospel of Christ.

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:28).

The conclusion that the apostle Paul makes in verse 2 of chapter 3 makes him present the person of Abraham as an example of a Gentile reached by the grace of God through faith long before the law was given. (Romans 4.10).

After presenting Abraham as thorough proof that the grace of God also reaches the Gentiles, the apostle Paul goes on to demonstrate that the law was not the cause of the bliss attained by his father Abraham, but the promise (Romans 4:13).

After demonstrating that circumcision and the law are not causes of justification in God, the apostle Paul presents a new conclusion, which takes up the argument presented in chapter 3, verse 21: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace. With God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5.1).

The apostle Paul had already announced that the righteousness of God was manifested without the law, according to the testimony of the law and the prophets (Romans 3:21, and concludes that justification by faith establishes peace with God)

After demonstrating that Christians achieved peace with God, since he was reconciled to God through the death of his Son (Romans 5:10), the apostle Paul goes on to demonstrate how humanity’s destitution of the glory of God took place (Romans 5:12). -20); clarifies that it is impossible for those who are dead to sin to live in sin (Romans 6: 2); that Christians are freed from the law (Romans 7: 7); it presents the nature of the law (Romans 7:12), and the impossibility of the carnal man (Romans 7:14).

The passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans between chapter six and seven demonstrates how justification is given by faith, which leads to the following conclusion: we have peace with God (Romans 5.1), because we have been justified by his grace (Romans 3:24). ), and now there is no condemnation to those who walk after God (Romans 8: 1).

Salvation in Christ is for the “now” (present tense) and not for the future. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the most acceptable day (2 Corinthians 6: 2). Man is saved today (present) from the condemnation given in Eden (past), and so is justified today, now.

The apostle Paul emphasizes that there is not condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,

Why did he write that there was no condemnation?

Wouldn’t that be correct: is there no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus?

If the apostle of the Gentiles says that there is no condemnation, it is because more than one condemnation was possible.

How many convictions are there.

The Bible presents us with two condemnations:

a) the condemnation in Adam, which took place in Eden (past), where all men became sinners, alienated (dead) from God (Romans 5:18);

b) The condemnation that will be given in the Great White Throne Court (future), regarding the works (Revelation 20:12).

When the apostle Paul said – there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ, he alluded to the separation of man and the glory of God, without neglecting the effects of the reprehensible works of humanity without Christ.

All who are in Christ, besides being free from condemnation to death because of Adam’s offense, will not appear before the Great Court of the White Throne, but will appear before the Court of Christ to be rewarding, where there is no condemnation. (Romans 14:10 😉 (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Taking into account what the apostle Paul announced: “Therefore now there is no condemnation…” (Romans 8: 1), it is evident that the new man in Christ is blessed.

“So David also declares blessed the man to whom God imputes righteousness without works, saying,” (Romans 4 and 8).

Those who believe in Christ were been forgiven their ‘wickedness’, their sins covered, that is, God does not impute sin to them. Now, if so, how is it possible for the Christian to still be an “unfortunate”, “damn” man?

If there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ, it is unlikely that the apostle Paul made the “damn man I am” statement about his new condition in Christ, but about his old condition.

 

New Creature

Considering that, there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.

What is to be in Christ? How to be in Christ? What is the reality of those who are in Christ?

In writing to the Christians in Corinth, the apostle Paul made the following statement:

“So if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

New creature – By definition, which is in Christ, is a new creature;

New Birth – It is only possible to be in Christ those who were born again through the incorruptible seed, which is the word of God;

Reality – old things are gone and everything is new.

When we read, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, it implies not condemning the new creature begotten according to the word of truth, to live new existence and reality: all new!

Compare:

“So if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17);

“Therefore now there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8: 1).

Based on these two verses, it is concluding that ‘to be a new creature’ is the same as ‘to be in Christ’, and vice versa. For those who are in Christ, there is no condemnation. For the new creature (one who is in Christ), there is no condemnation.

Part b of the two verses addresses the same subject. The ‘old things’ that have gone on refer to ‘walking after the flesh’, just as ‘walking after the spirit’ refers to ‘all that has become new’

 

Flesh Versus Spirit

In order to continue the exposition, it is first necessary to define what is ‘flesh’ and what is ‘spirit’ in this context, for a good reading and sure understanding of Romans chapter 8 depends on this definition.

The first time that the apostle Paul uses the term flesh was in relation to Jesus, to demonstrate that He is the promised seed of God to David (2 Samuel 7:14), the Word made flesh (John 1:14).

“Concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David after the flesh,” (Romans 1: 3).

The Greek term ‘σάρκα’ (sarx), translated by ‘flesh’ was used to demonstrate that Jesus Christ is of the lineage of David, through the blood bond that was conceived by the Virgin Mary.

The same term is use in Chapter 2:

“For it is not a Jew outwardly, neither is circumcision outward in the flesh.” (Romans 2:28).

In this verse, the apostle uses the term to refer to the circumcision mark that the Jews carry because of the sign God gave to Abraham (Genesis 17: 10-13).

“And the uncircumcised man, whose flesh of the foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; He has broken my covenant. ” (Genesis 14:14).

Further, the apostle Paul alludes to humanity through the term ‘flesh’:

“Therefore shall no flesh be justified before him by the works of the law: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20).

After quoting the Psalms and the Prophets (Romans 3: 10-18), the apostle Paul emphasizes that ‘no’ flesh is justified through the works of the law, that is, through the works of the law, neither Jew nor Greeks can be justified.

The next use of the term flesh is made in relation to father Abraham:

“What then shall we say, having attained Abraham our father according to the flesh?” (Romans 4.1).

The term is used in the sense of descendants, because according to the flesh Abraham is the father of the Jews (John 8:37).

The apostle of the Gentiles evidences that Abraham achieved nothing according to the law, for if it were not for the promise that he would be heir to the world, when he received the seal of the righteousness of faith in uncircumcision, he would not be the father of all. Who believe (Romans 4: 10-13).

If not for the word of God given freely to Abraham, he would be like other men. But through the word of faith Abraham believed, his belief in the word of God being the cause of justification.

“Then he took him outside, and said, look now to the heavens, and count the stars, if thou canst count them. In addition, he said unto him, thus should thy seed be. And he believed the LORD, and counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15: 5-6).

The connotation of the term ‘flesh’ is more complex in chapter 6:

“I speak as a man because of the weakness of your flesh; for as you presented your members to serve filthiness and evil to wickedness, so now present your members to serve righteousness for sanctification ” (Romans 6:19).

The apostle invokes the institute of slavery to demonstrate the condition of man under sin and justice, and then emphasizes the need for argumentation: I speak as a man because of the fragility of the flesh of the interlocutors.

“Ανθρωπινον λεγω δια την ασθενειαν της σαρκος υμων”  Scrivener’s Textus Receptus (1894).

‘in human terms I speak because of the weakness [3] of your flesh ’New Greek Interlinear Testament, SBB.

The possessive pronoun ὑμῶν is in the genitive, and comes in the second person plural to demonstrate the fragility of the interlocutors’ flesh.

Is the apostle referring to the body made of organic matter? To human desires and yearnings? Questions such as moral ethics and character?

No! The apostle was stressing how fragile the human argument based on being descended from Abraham’s flesh.

The argument made by the apostle Paul was common for Jews to present when confronted by the gospel:

“They answered him, We are Abraham’s seed, and we never serve any man; how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? ” (John 8:33), or;

“They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father” (John 8:39).

The fragility in comment says of those who made their flesh their salvation, that is, their strength:

“Thus saith the LORD, Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and departeth his heart from the LORD!” (Jeremiah 17: 5).

In this sense, the term ‘flesh’ evidenced the essence of Jewish doctrine, the misreadings of the Pauline expositions, allied with Greek philosophical thought, gave rise to Docetism.

Current Docetism of heretical thought where the body of Jesus Christ was only an illusion and his crucifixion would have been only apparent, since they understood that organic matter was essentially corrupted.

Docetism derives from a certain Gnostic current that believes that the material world is evil and corrupt, and in an attempt to reconcile Scripture with Greek philosophy, they claimed that Jesus was a human-looking specter, but without flesh and blood.

“For many deceivers have come into the world who do not confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. ” (2 John 1.7).

The next use of the term ‘flesh’ is found in chapter 7:

“For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which are of the law, wrought in our members, bearing fruit unto death.” (Romans 7.5).

In this verse, the apostle Paul makes use of the term ‘flesh’ to name Jewish doctrine, demonstrating that in a past time both he and his interlocutors were in the flesh. Further, the apostle Paul categorically emphasizes that Christians were no longer in the flesh but in the spirit:

“But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his. ” (Romans 8.9).

The emphasis of the apostle of the Gentiles was on the converted Christians among the Jews, unlike the approach to the Christians of the regions of Galatia, who became among the Gentiles:

“I only wanted to know this from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by preaching the faith? Are you so foolish that, beginning with the Spirit, you now end up with the flesh? ” (Galatians 3: 2-3).

While the Christians of Galatia had begun to serve God according to the gospel (spirit), now, because of a fascination (Galatians 3.1), they were coming to the doctrine ju The Christian serves God in newness of mind, not through the old age of the letter (Romans 7: 7).

The “gospel” is contrary to the “law,” just as, respectively, “newness of mind” disputes the “old age of the letter,” or “preaching of faith” opposes the “works of the law,” or “spirit.” contrary to the ‘flesh’.

Turning back to verse 1 of chapter 8 of the Epistle to the Romans, it is certain that those who are in Christ are new creatures free from condemnation, for they do not walk according to the precepts of the law, but according to the truth of the gospel (spirit). .

The Greek word πνεῦμα (pneuma), translated by spirit, in this context refers to the gospel of Christ.

Because of this truth, the apostle Paul stated that he was minister of 111-a New Testament, that is, of the spirit.

“Who also made us able to be ministers of a new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit; because the letter kills and the spirit gives life. ” (2 Corinthians 3: 6).

The above verse evidences the opposition ‘spirit’ and ‘letter’, presenting the spirit as the New Testament, and the law as the letter, because it was set in stone (2 Corinthians 3: 7).

The law is presenting as the ministry of death, which opposes the gospel, which is the ministry of the spirit (2 Corinthians 3: 7-8).

Hence the opposition ‘spirit’ and ‘letter’, for the gospel quickens while the law kills.

 

[1] “3563 νους probably from the root of 1097; TDNT – 4: 951.636; 1) mind, including also the faculties of perceiving and understanding as well as the ability to sense, judge, determine 1a) mental faculties, understanding 1b) reason in the narrowest sense, such as the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher powers of the soul, the ability to perceive divine things, to recognize goodness and to hate evil 1c) the power to soberly and calmly and impartially ponder and judge 2) a particular way of thinking and judging, ie, thoughts, feelings, purposes, desires Synonyms see entry 5917 ” Strong Bible Dictionary.

[2] “3551 νομος nomos of the primary word nemo (parcel, especially food or pasture for animals); TDNT – 4: 1022,646; 1) anything established, anything received by the use, custom, law, command 1a) of any law 1a1) a law or rule that produces a state approved by God 1a1a) by observance of what is approved by God 1a2) a precept or injunction 1a3) the rule of action prescribed by reason 1b) of the Mosaic law, and referring, according to the context, the volume of the law or its content 1c) the Christian religion: the law requiring faith, the moral instruction given by Christ, esp. love precept 1d) the name of the most important part (the Pentateuch) is used for the complete collection of the sacred books of the AT Synonyms see entry 5918 ” Dictionary biblical Strong.

[3] “769 ασθ εν εια astheneia of 772; TDNT – 1: 490.83; nf 1) lack of strength, weakness, weakness 1a) of body 1a1) its natural weakness and weakness 1a2) health weakness or illness 1b) of soul 1b1) lack of strength and capacity required to 1b1a) understand something 1b1b) do great things and glorious 1b1c) suppress corrupt desires 1b1d) endure afflictions and worries ” Strong Bible Dictionary.

The plan that the Father hath not planted, comes from the corruptible seed of Adam. This seed is not subject to the will of God. It is an enmity seed and all that it is born, can not see the kingdom of God “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom 8: 7).

---

On one occasion Jesus stood in the synagogue in Nazareth, and gave him the book of Isaiah. When He opened the book, he found the text that read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the poor hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and sight restoration. to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord … “(Luke 4:18 -19).

That’s when Jesus said to the people: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:21).

When Jesus was among the men, the Spirit of God was upon Him (John 10:30). Jesus’ mission was to bring good news to the poor in spirit (Matthew 5: 3). He was sent to comfort the brokenhearted. Jesus presented himself as freedom for the captives of sin. The blind, Jesus is the Light. The oppressed by sin find freedom in Christ. Jesus inaugurated the time (year) when men are acceptable before God (2 Corinthians 6: 2).

Isaiah prophesied that after Jesus fulfill its mission, the men would be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that God might be glorified.

Through the work accomplished by Christ, men would be called justice plantation, ie “the Father planted plants”.

The word of God (the gospel) is the seed that gives rise to the ‘trees of righteousness’ “This, then, is the parable: The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). Plants planted the Father, comes from the incorruptible seed, which is the word of God (1 Peter 1:23).

Christ is the sower, and all those who preach the good news of the gospel “The sower soweth the word” (Mark 4:14). But to sow the word, you must be born of the will of God. You need to be empowered to be made a child of God (John 1:12 -13).

There is no way the word of the gospel if man is not born of her. In other words, it is only possible for man to produce the fruit of lips that profess Christ, after it is generated word.

That is why the gospel is the power of God to everyone who believes (1 Cor 1:18; 1 Corinthians 2: 5; Rom 1:16). The gospel is power from God who gives life to men.

Jesus came “… to restore sight to the blind …”, but the Pharisees and scribes believed they had perfect vision of heavenly things. The mission that Jesus came to realize, was not observed in those who believed they had a perfect view “And Jesus said unto him: I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind. And some of the Pharisees who were with him heard it, they said unto him, are we blind Jesus said to them: If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say: we see; therefore your sin remains “(John 9:39 -41).

Jesus came for the sick, but the religious believed themselves are: “When Jesus heard this, said to them, not the healthy who need a physician, but rather those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but , but sinners to repentance “(Mark 2:17).

But why the Pharisees and scribes who were considered are? Because they believed that they were children of God, being descendants of Abraham “They said, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God” (John 8:41).

The Pharisees and scribes were correct? They were the children of God by being descendants of Abraham? Do Not! The children of God come from the same faith of Abraham, the believer and not corruptible seed in the patriarch’s descent “So then they that are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Gal 3: 9).

For men be blessed as faithful Abraham, that is, children of the Most High, one must believe in the word of God as Abraham believed and that it will be for righteousness. God is no respecter of persons and all who believe as Abraham believed, are justified by His grace.

When Abraham believed God, He became justice of tree, plant the Lord planted (justified). However, their fleshly descendants did not reach the same condition before God.

Being the son of Abraham is to practice the works of Abraham, that is, to believe in God’s word. You receive the incorruptible seed in the heart. This is the work of God: believe in the one He sent (John 8:39; John 6:29). Abraham performed the works of God because he believed in God, but their descendants, entrusted in the flesh, that is, in its origin, did not believe that God sent, and therefore did not believe in God.

The Pharisees and scribes were descendants of Abraham (John 8:37), but they were not children of God. They thought it was enough to profess to be descendants of Abraham to reach the divine sonship (Mt 3: 9).

The Pharisees and scribes were not plants planted by God (did not believe in Christ) and, therefore, would be torn (likely the judgment of God) “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in name of the only begotten Son of God “(John 3:18).

We know that those who do not believe in Christ, are plants not planted by the Father, and those who believe, are trees of righteousness, plants belonging to the Father.

But when and where the wicked men were planted, since all men are plants?

The Jews considered that they were children of God by being descendants of Abraham in the flesh. They forgot that Abraham received the divine sonship when he believed God, and it was imputed for justice.

Although the Jews were descendants of Abraham according to the flesh, however, were still children of Adam, as a child of God is only possible through faith.

That is, all men born in Adam are plants that the Father hath not planted. There are trees of righteousness, and therefore is not planting of the Lord!

Abraham was a descendant of Adam, the flesh, and generated carnal children. Their descendants were conceived in sin, just as all men are conceived “Behold was shapen in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (Ps 51: 5).

Through Abraham’s faith became a plant that the Father planted because it was justified by God. But their descendants continued to be generated according to the flesh of Abraham, which refers to Adam.

Although Abraham has reached the condition of spiritual man to trust in the promise of God, however, he continued to bear children after the flesh, corruptible seed participants of Adam.

Only those born of God are created spiritual men. Abraham was the son of God by faith and only those who believe in God as faithful Abraham, are generated from him.

Humanity is a crop from a corruptible seed (which will not remain forever), the seed of Adam. Every man who comes into the world are plants that the Father hath not planted and that is why the Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

For born of the flesh, the man of will and blood, men come into the world under condemnation. Only after being born again, according to the will of God (Spirit) and the incorruptible seed (water), man becomes planting of the Lord.

“And all your people will be righteous, shall inherit the land for ever; the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified” (Isaiah 60:21).

To be born again, you need to be planted by God (branch of my planting). The new creature in Christ is generated exclusively the work of God’s hands. There is no man actively participate in the new birth, as it is glory to God alone belongs.

For man to be planted by the Father one must believe in the word of God that says, “Look unto me and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22 ). Who looks at the author and finisher of our faith is because he believed that only God can save him.

Who does not believe in the only begotten Son of God makes it look, and suffer the consequences of sin in the same way that the bitten by snakes in the desert that looked not (believe) to the brazen serpent suffer, at the time the Hebrews crossed the desert the road to the promised land!

The plan that the Father hath not planted, comes from the corruptible seed of Adam. This seed is not subject to the will of God. It is an enmity seed and all that it is born, can not see the kingdom of God “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be“ (Rom 8: 7).

Plants that were not planted by God will be uprooted because not stand the judgment: “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous” (Psalm 1: 5).

In this respect, predicted John the Baptist: “And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:10).

While the Pharisees and scribes continued professing that they were children of God by being descendants of Abraham, would be producing bad fruit, which indicated that they were not the Father planted plants and subject to the wrath of God.

Only trees that produce good fruit, that is, who profess the nearness of the kingdom of heaven (Christ) will remain forever (Hebrews 13:15). There will be cut, for God himself planted them, and will forever be works of God’s hands. Shoots (plants) planted by God.

The biblical repentance does not constitute a change of attitude promoted by human consciousness. Integrates a life before men says another aspect of the Christian life, not repentance promoted by the gospel. True repentance says a change in the design (metanoia), ie, a change in thinking about how man attains salvation of God.

---

“And think not to yourselves, saying, We have Abraham to our father…” (Mt 3: 9)

To achieve salvation in Christ was necessary a big change (radical) in its way of thinking, this change was when you heard the gospel message and believed in Christ. The gospel is good news that produces a radical transformation in the way we understand salvation. This radical change in thinking that the gospel down the man Who was without God is named in the Bible of Repentance. Repentance is change in design, concept, about how man attains salvation of God.

Many scribes and Pharisees came to the baptism of John the Baptist, but even after being baptized, still declaring that they were children of God by being descendants of Abraham. John the Baptist observed through what professed that they had a genuine repentance “And think not Just say we have Abraham to our father” (Mt 3: 9). It was necessary to the scribes and Pharisees repent of their misconceptions about how to be saved, that is, as a child of God. John the Baptist is emphatic, for even the stones God is able to make children to Abraham, that is, to make (create) children to Himself.

What is your conception of salvation? Have you ever regretted fact? You are producing fruits worthy of repentance?

For you to answer and check that you have reached the genuine repentance, note the following:

1. a) All men have repented of something they did wrong in the course of his life. Repent of their mistakes, attitudes, decisions, etc. But is this kind of repentance granting Salvation?
2. b) A person Who lived a dissolute life of crime, promiscuity and lies, but at the repent of mistakes (attitudes) and goes to live in a monastery, reached the genuine repentance?
3. c) A citizen dedicated to live an orderly life in society, religious, and to commit an unlawful or wrongful act, and feel deep sorrow for his act, reached true repentance?

Do Not! Are not these types of regrets that described above that John recommended! This repentance promoted by human consciousness is what the Bible calls repentance from dead works.

 

The biblical repentance does not constitute a change of attitude promoted by human consciousness. The life of integrity before men says another aspect of the Christian life.

 

True repentance says a change in the design, ie, in thinking about how to achieve the salvation of God.

 

For the Pharisees and scribes was not enough to assume that they were children of God by being descendants of Abraham “And think not to yourselves, saying, We have Abraham to our father” Matthew 3: 9 For the Rich Young Ruler was not enough to fulfill the Law or do something for salvation “Good Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” (Matthew 19: 16). Nicodemus was not enough to be a judge, master, Pharisees, Jewish, etc. “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews” (John 3: 1).

 

Peter, speaking of repentance, urged the Jews to change their thinking and point of view about the Christ Who crucified. Only after the Jews believe in Christ as Lord would repentant fact (Acts 2:38).

 

Note that John the Baptist did not rebuke the Pharisees and scribes about mistakes they had committed. Before, should repent because, that is, because of the proximity of the Kingdom of God, which is Christ among men “Repent, because it is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 3: 1 -2).

 

The mission of John the Baptist was this: to prepare the way of the Lord, that is, proclaim to men that they needed to abandon their conception of how to be saved, and receive Christ.

 

On one occasion Jesus rebuked some disciples who had no genuine repentance. Note that these disciples believed in Christ, but they trusted that they were saved by being descendants of Abraham. They had not had a genuine repentance, since they were still attached to the old concept of how to achieve the salvation of God.

“Jesus Said to those Jews which believed on him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye my disciples the know the truth and the truth will set you They said.. We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves of anyone” (John 8: 11 -34).

Those Jews had not repented. They were simple followers of Christ, because of Bread, miracles, of a king, etc. But, when defendants that to be true disciples had to know the truth, that is, leave the ignorance of sin (repentance), showed what was their conception of salvation: they trusted in their own conceit, that they were the descendants of Abraham.

 

The followers of Christ (the Jews Who believed in him) were in the same condition of the scribes and Pharisees Who were the baptism of John the Baptist: they trusted that salvation came from the generation (offspring) of Abraham (Mt 3: 9) compare with (John 8:33).

So if you believed in Christ as your one and only savior, and left the old conception that it was necessary sacrifices, prayers, punishments, origins, charity, religion, etc., to be saved, you have reached the genuine repentance. Have you repented of fact, there was a change of mind comes from knowing the gospel Who freed from ignorance of sin.

 

Because you have repented genuinely now to profess the name of Christ as the only savior, you are producing the worthy fruit of repentance, that is, the fruit of lips that profess Christ as Lord (Acts 4:12; Heb 13:15 ).

 

An error on repentance arises from misinterpretation of the verse: “Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance” (John 3: 8), when infer that ‘fruits worthy of repentance’ refers to human behavior. Note that the fruit that John the Baptist Said says what the man professes about how one attains salvation, since then He comes to the presumption of the Pharisees and scribes.

 

Why what one professes (fruit) evidence if she repented or not? Because the behavior is something external, that no evidence what is in the human heart. Note that the false prophets come disguised as sheep (behavior), but inwardly they are ravening wolves, and only by their fruits (which profess) can meet them (Mt 7:15 -16).

 

 

Questions and Answers:

 

1) What is the thinking of the scribes and Pharisees on how to achieve salvation? (Mt 3: 9)

1. They thought it was enough to be a descendant of Abraham (son in the flesh) to reach the divine sonship.

 

2) Name four examples of ‘repentance’ that does not promote salvation:

1. Repent a fight with her husband; repent to behave poorly in school; repent not make an important decision in life; repent for having omitted helps someone.

 

3) What is repentance to salvation?

1. abandon the old concepts on how to achieve salvation and accept the doctrine of Christ.

 

4) What the rich young man thought was needed to be saved?

1. Do some ‘good’ to God.

 

5) What advice of Peter to the Jews who crucified the Lord Jesus?

1. Repent, or abandon the concepts concerning membership in the flesh of Abraham and the law of Moses, and be baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38).

 

6) What advice would John the Baptist gave to the scribes and Pharisees to be saved?

1. Do not think that just say, we have a Father Abraham. Repent, or abandon this concept!

 

7) As the true believer produces worthy of repentance fruit?

Professing Jesus as Lord of your life according to the truth contained in the Bible.